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<br />Tree Survey <br /> <br /> <br />construction area. A complex ordinance, on the other hand, may include formulas to determine <br />percentage of tree loss, prioritize different sizes and clumps of trees, and regulate the mitigation <br />of the trees lost during construction with a specified number and species of newly planted trees. <br /> <br />ReQuirements <br /> <br />The first step in regulating tree preservation and replacement is determining what trees are <br />present and what percentage are being impacted by a proposed project. Communities that have a <br />tree preservation ordinance also require that submitted plans include a tree survey. This is <br />essential in determining if the project will fall under the purview of the tree preservation and <br />replacement regulations. For single-family and two-family redevelopment projects, this survey <br />could be in the form of an informal sketch on an aerial photograph or drawing, or it could require <br />a certified survey of trees from a licensed forester. In general, a tree survey would include only <br />the significant trees on the lot and any large clumps of insignificant trees. It would also need to <br />include an identification of the type and size of any significant trees on the lot. Some ordinances <br />also require that any trees that were damaged from unnatural means within the last two years be <br />included on the survey as if they were still present. <br /> <br />Preservation <br /> <br />The heart of the ordinance should be the preservation of trees. There are many variations to the <br />intent of tree preservation, but the bottom line becomes what you want to preserve. This often <br />becomes an issue of just how many trees make up a woodland. Some ordinances will list a <br />percentage of trees lost versus the total trees remaining in the form of a tolerance barometer. For <br />example, if more than 10 percent ofthe trees are removed by a development, then the <br />preservation ordinance would be triggered, and a tree survey and preservation/replacement plan <br />would have to be submitted for approval. Another approach is to specify that the forest left <br />following development will be similar to the one existing before the project was completed, i.e., <br />if 15 percent of the trees on the site were larger than 24 inches, then trees this size should make <br />up 15 percent ofthe trees remaining after construction. The intent of this provision is to have a <br />woodland of similar size distribution after development, thereby preserving the character of the <br />woods. <br /> <br />Currently, the City of Minnetonka has placed a moratorium on all development within the City <br />while they reexamine several ordinances regarding the natural environment, including tree <br />preservation ordinances. While staff is not advocating for a development moratorium at this <br />time, they have drafted unique tree preservation ordinance that distinguishes between significant <br />trees and high priority trees. Their ordinance allows cutting of significant trees within a certain <br />construction and grading zone without any replacement, but cutting high priority trees any where <br />on the site or significant trees outside of the construction zone requires stringent replacement. <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />City Council Work Session for October 22, 2007 <br /> <br />\\AhdocsJ\AHlAHdataIPlanninglPlanning Cases\2007\OX-OXX Tree Preservation Ordinance\102207 - CC Work Session - Tree Preservation. doc <br /> <br />Page 4 of6 <br />